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Then & Now - Week of November 24

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you knew that we are living thru some of the toughest economic times in our nation’s history. For a teenager, you may be feeling the pinch yourself.

I’m guessing your parents are probably scratching quite a few things off of your Christmas wish list. I’m guessing you’re family is eating out less. I’m guessing you might not get that really cool car when you turn eighteen. Maybe the holiday job you had last year is no longer available.

And yet in the midst of all of this, you’re supposed to stop on Thursday and give thanks to the Lord. How in the world can you be grateful when times are so tough? Maybe we should cancel Thanksgiving after all.

Unless this is the time when we should be the most thankful. You see, the people who originally came to this country: the Pilgrims and Puritans, established the holiday just for moments like this. In fact, the first few Thanksgivings came after many people died of disease or after a crop failure resulted in little or no harvest. Yet, these people of faith stopped and still counted their blessings.

What they realized is that true riches are not counted with dollar signs. The Bible says that a man’s net worth doesn’t consist of what he has. In fact, you can be the poorest soul on earth and yet be one of the richest.

If you know Jesus Christ, you can possess untold riches. Peace, joy, love, and the knowledge that God loves and will keep you until you go to Heaven to live with Him.

Many in this world don’t have that.

So maybe its time to stop comparing your stuff with your friends’ stuff. Maybe its time to stop badgering your parents to buy you the latest fashions or the coolest gadgets, especially when they may not have the money.

Maybe this year look around at what God has given you. Count your blessings, not your things.